Hyderabad: A former Andhra Pradesh minister is not entitled to govt-provided personal security as a matter of right once the perceived threat to him ceases to exist, Telangana high court has held while upholding the withdrawal of security cover extended to Jalagam Prasada Rao.Dismissing a writ petition filed by Rao, Justice T Madhavi Devi ruled that the decision to withdraw security was based on an objective assessment of the prevailing threat perception and therefore did not warrant judicial intervention.The court observed that the security review committee and the Khammam commissioner of police had examined threat perception reports submitted by police authorities as well as representations made by the petitioner before concluding that there was no threat to his life.Rao challenged the withdrawal of his security cover, contending that it had been discontinued without justification despite earlier court directions restoring the protection. He argued that his family had long faced threats from extremist groups because of his father, former chief minister Jalagam Vengala Rao, and also referred to threatening WhatsApp messages allegedly received in 2024.Opposing the plea, govt pleader for home Mahesh Raje submitted that the latest intelligence inputs did not indicate any specific threat to the petitioner. He further argued that the alleged threat calls had no links to Maoist groups and that the SRC had taken its decision after an independent and objective assessment.“The petitioner served as a minister between 1990 and 1994 and remained inactive in politics for the past 32 years. Moreover, he is presently residing in Hyderabad and visits his native village only occasionally,” Raje submitted.After hearing both sides, the court noted that the authorities had afforded the petitioner a personal hearing before withdrawing the security cover, thereby complying with the principles of natural justice. The court upheld the authorities’ decision and disposed of the writ petition.
